Average Salary for University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus Alumni

Attending the University of Pittsburgh, a public research university based in Pittsburgh, Pa., can pay off for students in the long run, with a ranking in the top 21 percent of universities by ROI. The athletic culture permeates campus life (Go Panthers!), and students take full advantage of the school's urban location by enjoying concerts, dinners, and festivals around town. This outline is based on answers to PayScale's salary survey.

Industry

Pitt alumni belong to a wide range of sectors. A few fields in which grads tend to find work include the health care industry, the financial services industry, and the consulting industry. The education industry is the sector most highly represented among alumni. Former Pitt graduates tend to bring in about $63K.

Gender

Jobs

The most lucrative professionals among Pitt alumni are Senior Software Engineers; they earn a median annual salary of approximately $88K. Also approaching the top of the pay scale at $78K and $67K are Software Engineers and Mechanical Engineers. Civil Engineers wrap up the bottom of the pay scale, earning around $55K.

Locations

When it comes to compensation, Pittsburgh brings up the rear (median pay is $60K); however, just over two-fifths of Pitt alumni still choose not to leave this city. However, Pitt grads looking to fill their bank accounts consider moving to Seattle — one of the most popular top-paying cities — with its median salary of $100K. Other cities of interest include Washington, DC and New York.

Employers

Westinghouse Electric Company is the top-paying employer among Pitt graduates with an average salary of about $86K. In contrast, below-average pay is the norm at The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon); median compensation there comes out to approximately $42K.

Degree Major

A medical degree earns Pitt students the most money after college ($126K per year). Annual salaries for those with a master's in social work are the lowest of the pack, earning around $41K.

Skills

Pitt grads are usually competent in Project Management, and about one in six alumni continue practicing this skill in their career. Former Panthers who have experience with Engineering Design can expect to make 17 percent more than other alumni ($74K on average). Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and Data Analysis command top-of-the-line rewards as well.

Benefits and Perks

When it comes to benefits, there is room for improvement — only half of the alumni are paid for vacation and just one-third of alumni for sick time. A strong majority of alumni allocate some part of their earnings to a company-sponsored 401(k) savings plan. Health insurance benefits extend to a solid majority of grads, and most survey participants sign up for dental plans. Other benefits that University of Pittsburgh alumni receive are life insurance, a casual working environment, tuition reimbursement, and a company-subsidized cell phone.

Related Schools

Schools similar to Pitt include Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, Ohio State University-Main Campus, and the University of Delaware.